Page 205 of Steamy Ever After

She closed the note in an envelope and addressed it for the mayor’s mansion. Then she got to work on the crumble topping.

CHAPTER 25

Giovanni wasn’t sure what to expect when he got to Erin’s. As he entered the house, he paused at the doorway, double checking that he was at the right address.

The house smelled incredible, like fresh-baked heaven, and Sinatra played from the kitchen. He glanced at the jacket hanging on the hook. Yup, that was Erin’s.

Sliding off his boots, he quietly crossed the den. She didn’t hear him come in and he paused for a moment, watching her stir something at the stove, her hips swaying from side to side as she sang along with Frank and Nancy crooning “Something Stupid.”

It felt like the first time he smiled in weeks. He could watch her forever like that. There was nothing prettier than seeing her completely unguarded.

Crossing the room, he came up behind her and hugged her, startling her. Catching her hands in his, he kissed her neck.

The words were there as Sinatra’s voice filled the kitchen, so Giovanni sang along, “And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like I love you…”

Her chest lifted and her breath hitched as she leaned into him.

He let it sink in, let her understand he was saying more than the lyrics to a song. “I love you, Erin. You don’t have to say anything back. I just wanted to let you know.” He nuzzled her ear with his nose and breathed her in. “I’ve waited all week to hold you like this.”

She relaxed into him and shut her eyes, simply letting him hold her as they swayed to the music. He hummed to the beat as the lyrics faded repeating the line I love you…

The song changed to “That’s Life” and the spell broke the moment she broke away from him. She set two plates on the table next to a mixed salad. He glanced at the pots on the stove. “What are you making?”

“That’s potpourri. The other one’s spaghetti.”

He glanced at the jar of sauce on the counter and grinned. Was she making this for him? He wouldn’t be a snob about the sauce, because it was about the gesture. “I love pasta.”

“I know. I’m sure it’s not going to compare to your grandmother’s, but I did my best.”

He wondered how long the noodles had been boiling. “What can I do to help?”

“Just wash up. I’ve got everything covered. Dinner should be ready in about ten minutes.”

She obviously wasn’t making al dente. He grabbed a quick shower and changed into clean jeans and the sweater she loved.

Things between them seemed okay, so far. Maybe he’d spent the week worrying for nothing.

When he returned to the kitchen the pasta was ready. He stilled at the sight of a crumb cake on the counter. “Is that…”

She smiled. “I made dessert.”

For all he cared, the pasta could be cooked to mush and the marinara could be ketchup. She’d made him a crumb cake. That had to mean something.

She put a heaping scoop of pasta on his plate. “Eat up.”

The spaghetti actually turned out okay. The fact that she’d cooked specifically for him made it one of the most satisfying meals of his life.

He reached for her hand, bringing her fingers to his lips. “I missed you.” He bit her knuckle and she smiled.

“I missed you, too.”

“It looks like your little trip did you well.” She seemed so clear headed and happy. That made him happy.

“It did. I was finally able to think.”

“About us?”

“About everything.” She sucked a long noodle between her lips and laughed when the sauce went everywhere.

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